The Maunakea Visitor Information Station (VIS) will reopen this week after shutting its doors more than a year ago due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
VIS will resume operations starting Thursday, July 15. Modified daily hours of 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m will be in effect until further notice. Staff have installed safety barriers at VIS and will implement proper social distancing that adheres to local, state and federal guidelines.
The VIS, which is at the 9,200-foot elevation of Maunakea, is in an area known as Halepōhaku. The Center for Maunakea Stewardship (CMS) has completed parking lot and traffic flow improvements to ensure parking and vehicle pull-outs are on the same side of the road as the VIS. This helps to provide safe public access as required by the Maunakea Comprehensive Management Plan.
“Our goal is to educate the visitors on the cultural importance of the mountain,” said Rodrigo Romo, newly appointed VIS manager. “We need to make sure visitors know how to behave on the mountain and approach it with the respect it deserves.”
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Officials encourage everyone to follow health department recommendations on social distancing and protection while visiting Maunakea.
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